shrine
SHRYNE
/ʃraɪn/
A place regarded as holy because of its associations with a divinity, a sacred person, or a relic.
A shrine can be a large building or a small alcove; it is defined by the sacred object it contains.
The story behind the word. The word originally referred to a chest or box for keeping important papers. Over time, it came to mean a box for keeping the bones or belongings of saints, and eventually, the place where such a box was kept.
Word relationships
- sanctuary: A sanctuary is a place of safety or the most sacred part of a temple, while a shrine is centered on a specific object.
- altar: An altar is a table used for sacrifice or prayer, often located inside a shrine.
- den: A den is a private, often messy room, lacking the sanctity of a shrine.
Commonly confused with
- temple: A temple is a building for general worship; a shrine is a specific spot of devotion.
Word family
- enshrine (verb): To place a precious object in a shrine; to preserve a right or tradition.
Collocations
- holy shrine
- sacred shrine
- wayside shrine
- shrine to
Example sentences
- "The villagers left fresh flowers at the small roadside shrine dedicated to the patron saint." Describing a roadside altar.
- "His bedroom was a shrine to his favorite football team, covered in posters and memorabilia." Metaphorical use for a fan's room.
Memory hook
A shrine is where you 'shine' a light on something sacred. Shrine = Sacred Sign.
When not to use
Do not use 'shrine' for a regular church that doesn't house a specific sacred relic or commemorate a specific event.
Fun facts
- The word 'enshrined' is often used in law to describe rights that are protected and held sacred, like the 'rights enshrined in the Constitution.'
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